Today’s state of business travel: C-level executives pay for peanuts in coach

Business travel is back to pre-recession levels, but road warriors can expect less legroom than before.

U.S. business travel spending—including air, hotels and car rentals—is projected to exceed $100 billion this year, up from $72.4 billion in 2009 and approaching pre-recession levels, according to industry research group PhoCusWright.

Companies have aggressively sent workers back out on the road, but stricter travel policies emphasize utility over luxury, with some companies billing employees for incidental expenses—like in-flight snacks, checked-baggage fees and rental-car fuel surcharges if they forget to fill up the tank.